5 Easy Chic Style Hacks for Your Pad

Yes, the holidays are over but doesn't mean that you have to give up the sparkle.  A clean, polished accent is great for a year round look (and adds a chic, West Elm vibe to any space).  We've been using gold and silver in our homes for a while, they're a mainstream metallic.  Copper is a rising trend and accents both warm and cool colors beautifully.

Here are a few style hacks that open your eyes to this amazing new trend:  

Photo: Passions For Fashion

Photo: Camille Styles

Photo: My Scandinavian Home

Photo: Homedit

Photo: Vinklar/Elle Decoration

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Gwyneth Paltrow's New Music Room and How to Do It Yourself

Photo: Harper's Bazaar

Gwyneth Paltrow is known for her exquisite taste, whether on the red carpet, giving beauty/styling advice in interviews or from her lifestyle blog GOOP (you know you've checked it out from time to time) admit it, this girl has serious taste.  So it only makes sense that her celebrity home fits the bill.  Gywneth soon sought out designer, Windsor Smith to turn her cluttered, but promising music room into a clean, fresh space that would make Mozart envious.          

Here's the transformation (and how to do it yourself)

Photo: Goop

It's obvious from the staging of this room that Ms. Paltrow is an entertainer (there is so much seating), which makes this room look cluttered but welcoming.  Also this room is a Music room, which insinuates that this is a room that should invoke inspiration and also serve as a relaxing, welcoming haven.  Honestly this room isn't that horrible, there is a nice warm-cool color scheme and has a nice sense of the inhabitants who live here, just a tweak would suffice.  Either way, Gwyneth Paltrow thought otherwise.

 

 Photo: Goop

A white/neutral color palette is a great way to make a room more calming and inviting (add natural accents and lush, luxe fabrics for instant chic style). 

Although it can be very easy to make a room look muddy or plain while using a neutral wall, Windsor Smith was able to create a calm, relaxing space by utilizing the fabulous window lighting which is bounced off of the white floor and ceiling.  There is still enough seating to make Ms. Paltrow happy, they are just smaller and grouped to open up the room- perfect for entertaining.

Photo: Goop 

For white or light walls, a neutral grey statement wall piece/art calms the stark white, and can open up the color palette as well (as you can see, lavender/blue accent colors calm the room while gold adds a chic, polished look to this room).  

 Photo: Goop

A daybed or sectional can be stylist and invoke inspiration at the same time.  Light and airy, textured pieces and accents cut up the bright white while opting for a luxe, stylish look.  The metals and rich hues in this space add to the beautiful black and white contrast of this space while accentuating the most prominent pieces in this [music] room, the piano.

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Natalie Morales Gets A Living Room Makeover From One Kings Lane

News Anchor Natalie Morales saught out One Kings Lane for a living room makeover to better suit her growing family and styling needs.  Lucky for us, One Kings Lane graciously gave us the insider look on her new dibs and the 411 on how to steal her stylish look.

Photos: David A. Land and One Kings Lane

As an active mom with a growing family, Natalie Morales wanted an updated stylish look that was also very kid-friendly.  One Kings Lane was up for the challenge, while incorporating some of Natalie's favorite colors and staying modern while keeping with her home's traditional style.

Natalie's new organized space is stylish yet beautiful (and easy to recreate).  What really makes this space unique is the story it tells.  Found objects and/or family heirlooms used as design elements on a book shelf (or any shelving unit really) help make the space look inviting and interesting.  Baskets such as the Natural Wood Baskets (which come in both round and square) used in Natalie's new space are great for storing large or multiple objects that are used often.

Natural Wool Basket

$55

 I just love the metallics used in homes today, which make them look more modern with a vintage Hollywood feel.  Not matter the size of your home, metallics will add instant luxe to your space without looking trashy.  Such is the case with Natalie's new living room.  This amazing modern designed stool interacts perfectly with her original vintage fireplace, all the while making this space 

  Peter 23" Brass X-Bench

$799

To see more of this glamorous collection go here and to read more about Natalie's interview with Better Homes & Gardens and to watch a tour of her new stylish space go here!

(Note: As an affiliate of One King's Lane, I will receive a commission from purchases made from this post)

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West Elm Shows Us How to Style Our Room{s} like a Catalogue

I get asked alot by friends and clients on styling advice for their rooms and it would be great to come home to a room (or mulitple rooms) that look like they've come straight from a spread in your favorite home decor magazine.  Luckily, West Elm has decided to share some of their style secrets and give us a look at their fabulous decor for fall. 

Ladder Bookshelf

$399

Easy, "no nail" furniture has been trending lately (I have a similar piece and it is truly amazing) and you'll understand why when you see this piece.  Not only is it easy to assemble but looks sleek and is even easier to move around in your home.  Just add some of your own collections and you've got art.

  

Mid-Century Shelving

$29-459

I remember my grandparents having a buffet by their dining room table growing up, and how much it really made the room look polished yet comfortable.  The genius modular wall system is at work again, with this piece as well making the wall (not the beatiful table) additional storage.  This piece could easily be added to any room, accented by beautiful art, dishes and personal items to tell a story. 

Geo Gemstone Wool Rug

$149-849

What really makes this room a great space is not only the dark grey wall (to accent the wall art and room decor), but also the attention to pattern detailing.  Pattern mixing is on trend in fashion and of course that means in the home as well.  In essence, if you are able to find a great rug to accentuate your wall paper/paint pattern and art, the rest is easy.

Martini Side Table in Silver

$149

Sometimes using a small table to add height on another one, is the best idea.  You may not want to add a light on top (or maybe you do) but it's up to you and your decor in the end.  Also, use metallics to brighen up a drab room, you can never go wrong with a little sparkle.

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Inside Photo Stylist, Kara Rosenlund's Clutter-Free Home

As a Photo Stylist myself I have collections of things I've found over the years, whether from travelling, flea markets, or used as props and sometimes it's just hard to let go or not use them in your home.  To be honest, it can be challenging sometimes to display these awesome finds in a way that makes sense or tells a cool story.

Last week, Design Sponge followed Photo Stylist, Kara Rosenlund around her lovely home in Australia to get some major tips on how to organize collections from a pro.
(hint: white is everywhere!)

According to Amy Azzarito, who wrote the article for Design Sponge, white was used to showcase Kara's beautiful pieces and helped her collections look clutter-free.

I personally love this white kitchen!  There's a definite nature theme going on throughout the house which works well with the clean starkness of the white, and the open cabinetry/shelves in this room really looks stunning.

Long, vertical shapes also help the spaces feel more open and mirrors open up the space and add a sense of warmth/comfort to each room.

Who needs a bookshelf, right?  I own so many vintage books, some dating back to the 1700's and this is such a great statement for them!  

Images via Design Sponge and Kara Rosenlund

For me, this house is so much more than beautiful, there is so much going on (in a good way), the comfortable feel each space has would make anyone feel at home.  

For more on Kara's thought on her home, check out Design Sponge's article here.

xx

DIY Friday: Jam Jar Lid Decor

I found this great little decor tutorial on Patchwork Harmony's blog (along with the photos) and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!